Each month, as part of this newsletter, I am going to share with you my ideas that may work for you as you strive to be more environmentally sustainable.

Community Outreach

Year-Round

How can Subaru retail facilities have year-round community outreach projects that have an environmental component? When there is something going on all the time (year-round), the impact reaches the largest possible group of people, including employees, customers and the community.

Retail facilities can integrate environmental components into their year-round community outreach projects in several impactful ways:



1. Tree Planting Initiatives: For every car sold, the retail facility can commit to planting a certain number of trees. This not only offsets carbon emissions but also engages the community in environmental stewardship.

2. Recycling Programs: Hosting regular recycling events, where community members can bring in items like old tires, batteries, and electronics for proper disposal, can significantly reduce local waste.

3. Electric Vehicle (EV) Education: Organizing workshops and informational sessions about the benefits of electric vehicles and how to maintain them can promote sustainable transportation options.

4. Cleanup Drives: Sponsoring or participating in local cleanup efforts for parks, beaches, or other public spaces can help maintain a cleaner environment and foster community spirit.

5. Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Demonstrate commitment to sustainability by upgrading the retail facility with energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, and water-saving fixtures. Hosting tours to showcase these upgrades can inspire others in the community to adopt similar practices.

6. Eco-Friendly Promotions: Offering discounts or incentives for customers who choose eco-friendly options, such as hybrid or electric vehicles, can encourage more sustainable choices.

7. Partnerships with Environmental Organizations: Collaborating with local environmental groups to support their initiatives, whether through funding, volunteer efforts, or joint events, can amplify the impact of the retail facility's outreach efforts.

These initiatives not only benefit the environment but also enhance the retail facility's reputation as a responsible and community-focused business.

We hope that you have found this information useful. We want to learn what your Subaru retail facility is doing in the area of year-round community outreach. Be sure to include pictures whenever possible. Please reply to this e-mail with your information.

Community Recycling Center

Grand Subaru, in Bensenville, IL, definitely leads by example when it comes to delivering on the Subaru Love Promise of "Subaru Loves the Earth." Subaru Brand Manager Josh Ryan offers the following details:

"Grand Subaru opened the Grand Subaru Community Recycling Center inside their showroom in 2020! This is a dedicated space where everyone in the community can drop off their recyclables, including glass, paper, plastics, and metal—all at no cost. Plus, we accept those hard-to-recycle items like batteries, lightbulbs, and plastic bags for free, making it easier than ever to dispose of these items responsibly.

"Since launching our recycling center, they have significantly reduced waste going into local landfills and provided a convenient, eco-friendly hub where their community can unite to improve the quality of life in Bensenville.

Annual Earth Day Recycling Event

"Every year, in celebration of Earth Day, we proudly sponsor a special shredding, recycling, and E-recycling event in partnership with the Bensenville Park District. This event goes beyond regular recycling by collecting items that are often challenging to dispose of, such as computers, TVs, fax machines, and other electronics, along with batteries and lightbulbs. Together, we make sure these items are recycled properly instead of ending up in the trash.

"Additionally, yearly they sponsor a cleanup event with the Bensenville Park District where they work together to collect trash and recyclables from local parks or farms, making a visible impact on their environment.

A Long-Standing Commitment to Our Community

"This year marks the fourth anniversary of the Grand Subaru Recycling Center and the sixth year of partnership with the Bensenville Park District. They are proud of their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community involvement, and they look forward to many more years of making a positive difference.

Grand Subaru: Going the Extra Mile for a Greener Community

"At Grand Subaru, caring for the community means taking action to preserve our environment. They invite everyone to visit their recycling center and join in the efforts to make Bensenville a cleaner, greener place to live."

The Grand Subaru service department participates in the Service Lane Recycling Program, collecting plastic waste from vehicles in the service lanes! How's that for "going the extra mile"? A big thank-you to Grand Subaru for all that you do and continue to do in support of a greener planet! This would be simple and easy to implement at your retail facility. Give it a try if you are not already doing so.

Grand Subaru provides helpful information on their web site about the recycling center. Click here to read all about it.

Why Recycle with Grand Subaru?

"Accessible Recycling: Our in-store recycling center is open to everyone. Drop off your recyclable items at your convenience during store hours."

These four bins beckon customers to recycle: Disposable Cups, Lids & Straws / Snack Wrappers / Coffee Pods & Creamer Capsules / Plastic Bags & Film.

Why Recycle with Grand Subaru?

"Diverse Materials Accepted: From paper and plastic to more specific recyclable materials like Lightbulbs and Batteries, we're equipped to handle a wide range of recycling needs."

Bensenville Park District Earth Day

Electronics Recycling & Park Cleanup

In addition to offering the Community Recycling Center at the retail facility, Grand Subaru, in conjunction with Earth Day and Bensenville Park District, also participates in an annual electronics recycling/document shredding event. Due to the environmental stewardship of Grand Subaru and Bensenville Park District, more than 50 carloads of electronics, almost 150 boxes of shredded documents, and multiple bins of batteries and lightbulbs were diverted from the landfill to be recycled/disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. You can watch the video here.

"Welcome to Fischer Farm, where Grand Subaru is sponsoring our annual Earth Day clean up event for our beautiful farm and the surrounding area. Earth Day is an annual event that takes place on April 22nd and is a global initiative to raise awareness and promote actions to protect our planet and its natural resources." You can watch the video here.

"Here at Grand Subaru and Fischer Farm, we understand the importance of sustainable living and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Today, we are taking action to make a positive impact on our environment by cleaning up litter and debris, recycling, and conserving resources."

"Grand Subaru believes that every action, no matter how small, can make a difference in preserving our planet for future generations. By working together and taking small steps towards sustainability, we can create a healthier and more vibrant world. So, join us as we celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up Fischer Farm and making a difference in our community. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and create a more sustainable future."

National Recycling Day

November 15, 2024

National Recycling Day/America Recycles Day is coming up on Friday, November 15, 2024. Start planning ahead to promote this occasion at your retail facility.

This inspiring event serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role each of us plays in protecting our environment and reducing waste. Join the recycling revolution and transform waste into a wealth of resources! This special day is not just a reminder, but a rallying cry for each of us to step up and make a difference. By committing to recycle more, we are not only conserving precious resources but also paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. Every bottle, can, and piece of paper count toward ensuring a more sustainable future. Remember that recycling isn't just a habit; it's a heartfelt promise to our planet!

Earth Day 2024 is in the rear-view mirror. It's never too soon to start thinking about Earth Day 2025, coming up on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The theme for 2025 is "Our Power, Our Planet." How green will you be in 2025? Let us know what actions you took in 2024 by replying to this e-mail. We look forward to hearing about your endeavors.

Many of you posted your Earth Day activities on social media. We peruse social media regularly to try to keep up with your "green" endeavors, and we are regularly impressed with what we see. Congratulations and keep up the good work! You just might find your retail facility featured in one of our upcoming newsletters since we plan to highlight Earth Day activities during the next several months. If there is an activity of which you are especially proud, please give us a "heads up" by replying to this e-mail and include the appropriate links to your social media postings or to your web site.

Green Dealer Support neither endorses nor promotes any particular product or company. We are merely offering an example of what is available, should you decide to move forward with any information you read about in this newsletter.